Queensland Reds captain James Horwill has been fined $2,500 and ordered to apologise to match officials after an outburst following his side's Super Rugby loss to the Melbourne Rebels last week.

The Reds were beaten just before the final siren, when the video match officials brought play back and handed a penalty to the Rebels, following an allegation of gouging against Reds replacement forward Ed O'Donoghue.

O'Donoghue was later found to have no case to answer.

The Rebels converted the ensuing penalty, giving them a three-point win.

A clearly upset Horwill was scathing of the decision in his post-match media interview.

"Once again we were robbed by a stupid refereeing decision," Horwill said at the time.

At a hearing on Monday, Horwill pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct brought against him by SANZAR.

Horwill was fined $2,500 and ordered to apologise to SANZAR and the match officials.

In handing down the punishment, judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC took into account Horwill's outstanding prior record and accepted the Reds skipper was contrite and had offered an apology "at his own volition".

"The post-match interview followed 30 seconds after full-time, in which the comments, the subject of the charge, were made," Hampton said.

"I accept that the intervention by the Television Match Official, with the consequences that followed was very raw and fresh in the player's mind and led him to vent his frustration in the way he did."